Containers



NOV- 1, 1960 K. H. sEvERsoN 2,958,433@

CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 18, 1958 arent @tice 2,958,438 Patented Nov. 1,1960 CONTAINERS Kermit H. Severson, Chevy Chase Drive, Rte. 2, Wayzata,Minn.

Filed Aug. 18, 1958, Ser. No. 755,618

s claims. (Cl. 22o-20) This invention relates to containers which areadapted to be carried upon the person and has particular reference to apill and vitamin container or the like.

The container of this invention is formed of relatively thin transparentplastic material and is of generally rectangular shape. An intermediatehorizontal wall divides the container into upper and lower chambers,with a vertical wall dividing the upper chamber into a pair ofhorizontal chambers. Each of `the horizontal chambers ispro'vided withan outlet in the top of the container. An arcuate track is formed in theside walls of the upper chambers adjacent the top of the container and avery thin and resilient elongated rectangular slide of metal or plasticmaterial normally at over its full length and -breadth is mounted forsliding movement in the track for opening and closing the outlets to thepair of horizontal chambers. Lock means aids in holding the slide in itsclosed position. i

The bottom or third chamber in the container is provided with an outletin the bottom of the container. An arcuate track is formed in the sidewalls of the lower chamber adjacent the bottom of the container, and avery thin and resilient elongated rectangular slide of metal or plasticmaterial normally flat over its full length and breadth is mounted forsliding movement in the track for opening and closing the outlet for thesaid third or bottom chamber in the container. Lock means holds theslide for the second track in closed position for the outlet for thethird chamber.

It is an object of this invention to provide in a container for pillsand vitamins a plurality of separate chambers each of which holds adiierent kind of pill.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in a pill containera plurality of separate chambers having outlets and closure means forthe outlets for the chambers which is securely held in its adjustedpositions.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide in a pillcontainer a pair of separate chambers having outlets in the upperportion of the container and closure means for the outlets for the upperchambers which. is securely held in its adjusted positions, and a thirdcharnber provided with an outlet in the lower portion of the chamber,and a closure means for the outlet for the third chamber securely heldin its adjusted positions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thedetailed description taken in connection with the =annexed drawing inwhich:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container showing one side thereofin vertical section but omitting the closure slides;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to the verticalsection shown in Figure l but with the closureslides in closingposition;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of the upper portionof the container with the closure slide at the top of the containerdisposed at one end of its track;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary View, similar to that shown in Figure 3 butwith the closure slide disposed at the other end of its track; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the lower portionof the container with the closure slide thereof in its open position.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 10 is a pill and Vvitamin containermade of transparent or translucent plastic material. At least one wallfor each chamber should be transparent so that users may determine thequantity and kind of product being carried and to give visual aid indispensing the products. The container 1li is relatively thin so that itmay be carried in a purse or a pocket of a garment. A horizontal wall 12forms a chamber 14 in the bottom portion of the container 10. A verticalwall 16 forms two horizontally spaced chambers 18 and 20 in the upperportion of the container 10. Outlets 22 and 24 are formed in the top 26of the chambers 18 and 20 respectively. An arcuate groove-like track 28is formed in the sides adjacent the top 26 of the container 10, and avery thin and resilient elongated rectangular slide 30 of plastic ormetallic material which is normally at throughout its entire length andbreadth is slidably mounted in the track 28. The inherent tendency ofthe slide 30 to straighten out to its normal flat position aids to holdthe slide in any adjusted position in the track 28. The slide 30 isprovided with a nib 32 on its bottom intermediate its ends. A knob 34 isprovided on the top of the slide 30 as a means for actuating the slide30. The top of the dividing wall 16 is provided with a depression orhole 36.

When the slide 30 is in the intermediate position in track 28, the nib32 engages the depression 36 in wall 16 and positively holds the slidein this position. In its intermediate position in track 28, slide 30closes outlets 22 and 24 for chambers 18 and Ztl respectively, seeFigure 2.

Moving the slide to the left end of the track 28 opens the outlet 24 ofchamber 2t), see Figure 3. Moving the slide 30 to the right end of thetrack 28, opens outlet 22 for chamber 18, see Figure 4.

When the slide 30 is iitted into the track 28, each end of the slide 30exerts a pressure against the upper surface of the track 28 and themiddle of the track exerts a pressure against the bottom of the track.

The opposite ends of the slide 3d on its upper side may be provided witha nib for engaging a depression on the upper side of the track at eachend thereof for locking the slide in adjusted positions.

The bottom chamber 14 is provided with an outlet 40 in its bottom 42. Anarcuate track 44 is formed in the sides adjacent the bottom 42 on itsleft side, see Figure 1. A very thin and resilient elongated rectangularslide 46 similar to slide 30 is slidably mounted in the track 44. Slide46 is provided with a nib 48 formed in its bottom adjacent one endthereof and a knob or stop member 50 is formed on the bottom of theslide 46 at its opposite end. The track `44 is provided with a nib orstop means 52 at the left end of the outlet 4t), and a nib or stopmember or means 54 is formed on the track `44 at the opposite end of theoutlet 40. As will be apparent from the drawing the nibs or stop means52 and 54 are spaced apart by the outlet opening 40 and project into thechamber 14 from the curved bottom wall portion of the container, beinglocated adjacent opposite ends of the outlet opening. The slide `46 isshown in closed position over the outlet 40 for the chamber 14, seeFigure 2. When the slide 46 is in closed position nib 48 is engagedagainst the inside of the nib S2, and the` knob 50 engages the stopmeans 54 on the right end of the outlet 40, and the nib 52 on the bottomwall 42 prevents the slide moving to the left and the knob 50 prevents.the slide moving to the right of the track, see Figure 2.

When the slide `46 is moved to the left in the track 44, the'iiib 48 onthe slide 46 passes over nib 52 on the bottom wall 42, see Figure 5,`andthe inherent tendency of the slide 46 to straighten out in the track 44holds-the slide 46 in its open position.

Certain variations from the precisev forms illustrated will suggestthemselves to anyone skilled inthe art. It is not, therefore, intendedto limit 'this invention `to the precisedisclosure, but only asset forthin Vthe subjoined claims which are to be broadly construed.

I claim:

1. 'A container having a curved top provided with an elongated opening,a vertical partition wall formed in the container, extendingtransversely of the longitudinal axis of said opening and providing lapair of chambers each having an outlet communicating with a portion ofsaid opening, the partition Wall being provided with a depression in itstop, an arcuate track beneath the top of the container adjacent andpanalleling the longitudinal sides of said opening and projecting beyondthe ends of the opening, an adjustable cover for said opening comprisinga thin resilient elongated rectangular slide, normally substantiallytlat over its full length and breadth, loosely mounted for slidingmovement in the arcuate track and stressed out of its normallysubstantially flatcondition, nib means formed in the bottom of the slidemedially thereof, the slide being movable lengthwise to either end ofthe track for uncovering an outlet to one of said chambers, and beingmovable to an intermediate position for engaging the nib on the bottomof the slide with the depression in the top of the partition wall,thereby closing the outlets for said pair of chambers.

2. A container having a curved outer wall portion provided with anelongated opening, a partition formed in the container extending fromsaid opening transversely of the longitudinal axis of said opening andproviding a pair of chambers each having an outlet communicating with aportion of said elongated opening, the partition being provided with adepression adjacent said opening, an arcuate track adjacent andparalleling the longitudinal sides of said outlet opening and projectingbeyond the ends of the opening, an adjustable cover for said openingcomprising a thin resilient elongated rectangular slide, normallysubstantially llat over its full length and breadth, loosely mounted forsliding movement in the arcuate track and stressed out of its normallysubstantially flat condition, nib means formed in the slide mediallythereof, the slide being movable lengthwise to either end of the trackfor uncovering an outlet lto one of said chambers, and being movable toan intermediate position for engaging the nib on the slide with thedepression formed in the partition, thereby closing the outlets for saidpair of chambers.

3. A container having a curved top provided with an elongated opening, avertical partition wall formed in the container extending transverselyof the longitudinal axis of said opening and providing a pair ofchambers, each of said chambers being provided with an outlet portioncornmunicating with the opening, the partition wall at its top extendingto said opening and being provided with a depression in its top, anarcuate track formed beneath the top of the container adjacent andparalleling the longitudinal sides of said opening and projecting beyondthe ends of the outlet, an adjustable cover for said opening comprisinga resilient elongated rectangular upper slide, normally substantiallyflat over its full length and breadth, loosely mounted for slidingmovement in the arcuate track stressed out of its normally.substantially dat condition, nib means formed in the bottom of theslide medially thereof, the slide being movable lengthwise to one end ofthe track for uncovering an outlet for one of said chambers, and beingmovable to the other end of the track for uncovering 4the outlet for theother of said chambers, and being Vmovable to an intermediate positionfor engaging the nib on the bottom of the slide with the depression inthe top of the wall, thereby closing the outlets for both of saidchambers, a third chamber in the lower portion of the container having acurvedwbottom, said chamber being provided with an elongated outlet inits bottom, an arcuate track of greater length than the bottom outletformed in the said third chamber adjacent and paralleling thelongitudinal sides of said outlet, an adjustable cover for said outletcomprising a thin resilient elongated rectangular slide shorter than the`track but longer than said bottom outlet, said slide beingnormallysubstantially at over its full length-andbreadth, Vand looselymounted for sliding movement in the bottomV arcuate track stressed outof its normally substantially at condition, a nib formed on one portionof the bottom slide, a second nib formed on a sccond spaced apartportion ofthe bottom slide, a irst stop means formed on the bottom trackadjacent one end of the bottom outlet, a second stop means formed on thebottom track adjacent the opposite end of the bottom outlet, the slidebeing movable-to one end of the ltrack yfor uncovering vthe bottomoutlet and being movable to the other end of the track `for closing thebottom outlet, the nib on the one portion of the bottom slideengaging'the iirst stop means to prevent the slide from moving in onedirection in the track, and the second nib on the slide engaging thesecond stop means on the track-when the slide is in closed position overthe bottom outlet.

4. A container'having an outer wall provided with'an elongated opening,a vertical partition wa1l-formed vin the container, extendingtransversely of theV longitudinal axis of said opening and providing apair of chambers each having an outlet communicating with a portionofsaid opening, the partition wall being provided with a depression inits top, an arcuate track beneath the outer wall of the containeradjacent and paralleling the longitudinal sides of said opening andprojecting beyond the ends of the opening, an adjustable cover for saidopening comprising a thin resilient elongated rectangular slide,normally substantially at over its fulllength and'breadth, looselymounted for sliding movement in the arcuate track and stressed out ofits normally substantially flat condition, nibmeans formed in the bottomof the slide medially thereof, the slide being movable lengthwise toeitherA end of the track for uncovering an outlet to one of saidchambers, and being movable to an intermediate position for engaging thenib on the bottom of the -slide with thel'depression in the top of thepartition wall, thereby' closing the outlets for said pair of chambers.

5. In a device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the outer wall is atop.

6. A container having a chamber with an outer wall portion, said chamberbeing provided with anelongated outlet in its outer Wall, anarcuate'track of' greater length than the outlet formed in the said chamberadjacent and paralleling the longitudinal sides of said outlet, saidtrack comprising a pair of track portions formed in opposite sides ofthe container, each said track portion comprising a groove, anadjustable cover for said outletcomprising a thin resilient elongatedrectangular slide shorter than the track but longer than the outlet,said slide being' normally `substantially at over its `full length andVbreadth, and loosely mounted `for sliding movement in the arcuatetrackstressed out of its normally substantially at condition, a nibformed on one portion of the slide on the face opposite said chamber, aknob formed on Vthefsan'ie face of the slide as said nib butlongitudinally spaced therefrom, spaced first and second stop meansformedon said container wall and projecting inwardly into the chamberadjacent opposite ends of said elongated opening, the slide being ofsubstantially less thickness than the width of said side grooves andbeing movable to one end of the track for uncovering the outlet andbeing movable to the other end of -the track for closing the outlet, thenibaon said slide engaging the first stop means to prevent-'the slidemoving in one direction in the track, and the knob on the slide engagingthe second stop means when Vrthe slide is in closed position over ltheoutlet.

7. In a device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the outer wall portion isa top.

8. A container having a chamber therein, having a curved wall portionand an elongated outlet in the curved wall portion, an arcuate track ofgreater length than the outlet and comprising a pair of track portionsformed in opposite sides of the container and paralleling thelongitudinal sides of said outlet, each said side track portioncomprising a groove, an adjustable cover for said outlet comprising asingle thin resilient elongated rectangular slide shorter than the trackbut longer than said outlet, said slide being of substantially lessthickness than the width of the groove of the side track portions andbeing normally substantially at over its full length and breadth, andloosely mounted for sliding movement in the arcuate track and stressedout of its normally substantially at condition, a nib formed on theportion of the slide on one face opposite said chamber, a knob formed onthe same face of the slide as said nib but longitudinally spacedtherefrom, spaced first and second stop means formed on said containerwall and projecting inwardly into the chamber adjacent opposite ends ofsaid elongated opening, the slide being movable to one end of the trackfor uncovering the outlet and being movable to the other end of thetrack for closing the outlet, the nib on said slide engaging the firststop means to prevent the slide moving in one direction inthe track, andthe knob on the slide engaging the second stop means when the slide isin closed position over the outlet.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS358,450 Hurlbut Mar. 1, 1887 519,578 Hurlbut May 8, 1894 919,878Kamenstein Apr. 27, 1909 1,214,158 Hansen Jan. 30, 1917 2,011,394 Brunset al Aug. 13, 1935 2,214,993 De Witt Sept. 17, 1940 2,412,332 HansenDec. 10, 1946 2,480,733 Hermani Aug. 30, 1949 2,582,821 Duell etal Ian.15, 1952 2,722,309 Waterman Nov. 1, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 132,183 SwedenIuly 3, 1951 408,194 Great Britain July 1, 1932 592,717 Great BritainSept. 26, 1947

